Air-valve for radiators.



L. SIMMGNS. MR VALVE r on' muons. kPPLlCATlON FILED NHL 6. 915.

Patented May-9,1916.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEO SIMMONS OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

A IB-V ALVE FOR RADIATORS.

' A fplication filed March 6,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that- I, LEO SIMMONS, a citi zen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air-Valves for Radiators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in air valves for radiators; and the objects and nature of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation of the accompanying drawing illustrating what I now believe to be the preferred embodiment or mechanical expression of my invention from among other formations and constructions within the spirit and scope thereof.

An object of the invention is to reduce leakage of Waterfrom radiator 'air valves to the minimum, and also to render such valves approximately noiseless.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forth and specified hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fi ure 1 is a )BFS eetive view showin art of a radiator having an air valve of my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2, is a sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken in the plane of the line 2-2, Fig. 1. Fig. 8, is a detail section taken in theplane of the line 33, Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 5, are detail perspective 'views. 7

In the drawings, I show part of steam or other heating system radiator 1, although my invention is not limited to use in connection with any particular heating radiator type or construction. The rear end of such radiator is provided with a tapped hole 2, opening into theinterior of the radiator to receive a valve to. permit escape of air from the interior of the radiator under the pressure of the heating fluid in said radiator.

' The valve of my invention comprises a horizontally elongated casing 3, forming a preferably cylindrical chamber 4, and provided with an upwardly projecting enlargement or boss 5, on which is mounted a cap or cylinder 6, as more fully described hereinafter.

The inner end of the casing 3, is formed integral with a reduced longitudinally'projecting exteriorly-threaded nipple 7, adapted to screw into and close the perforation Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9,1916.

191 5. Serial No. 12,687.

2, into the radiator. This nipple is formed with a reduced preferably tapered nozzle or inlet end 8, forming a longitudinal continu at-ion of the nipple projecting therefrom a suitable distance into the interior of the radiator so that the extremity of this nozzle will be spaced from the inner surfaces of the .radiator walls.

An air inlet duct 9, extends longitudinally throughout the lengths of the nozzle and nipple and at its discharge end opens centrally into the inner end of the chamber-4, of the casings, while at its inlet end said duct opens through the reduced or pointed end of nozzle 8. The nozzle is designed to reduce to the minimum possibility of wa; ter entering the nozzle from the interior of the radiator. The nozzle is formed to prevent water of condensation collecting thereon and being carried into the duct 9, with the air or vapor. The water of condensation usually collects on the inner surfaces of the radiator walls, and hence I have provided the nozzle to locatethe inlet of duct 9, remote from the radiator walls to prevent, so far as possible, water flowing or creeping into said 'duct from the radiator surfaces.

"Vi/ithin the chamber 4, I arrange a block or cylinder 10, of any suitable material such as hard rubber, that will expand and contract under changes in temperature, and I provide the block with needle valve 11, fixed to the block and projecting longitudinally therefrom into the enlarged inner end portion of air duct 9. The outer endof this valve is adapted to approximately close said duct against flow of fluid by closing outwardly against valve seat 12, formed in the duct intermediate the length thereof. The block 10, longitudinally fits within the chamher 4, throughout the greater portion of the length thereof and conforms to the interior shape of the casing 3, so as to permit but a film like flow of fluid between the exterior surface of the block and the interior sur face of the casing 3. It might be said that the block has a running fit within. the casing leaving but an almost infinitesimal fissure between its exterior surface and the casing for passage of fluid in the casing from duct 9. v

The outer end of the casing 3, is internally tapped to receive the removable threaded sealing plug 13, having an angular projecting rear end to which a suitable tool can be fitted for applying and removing the plug.

A; valve adjusting and block-stop screw 14, extends through this plug and is longitudinally adjustable therein and at both ends projects beyond the same so that the inner end of the screw can abut the outer end of the valve controlling block 10, and so that the outer end of the screw can receive a suitable tool for rotating and thereby adjusting the screw. The block 10, and the plug 13, are arranged to leave a comparatively small or narrow fluid space or chamber within the casing and between the block and plug.

The boss or neck 5, is formed with a longitudinal duct 15, extending vertically therethrough and at its lower end having a preferably reduced inlet port 16, opening into the top of said fluid chamber at the rear end of block 10, while the upper end of said duct opens upwardly and preferably centrally through the usually flat top face of said boss. The cylindrical upper end of said boss is preferably threaded to removably receive the internally threaded lower end of the open-bottom vertical cap or cylinder (3,

having a dome-shaped upper end that is closed except for a restricted outlet, preferably, formed by an exceedingly small or narv row horizontally elongated fissure or slit 19,

opening vertically through the top end wall 18, of said cap. The top end wall 18, is preferably very thin with respect to the side walls of the cap, being reduced in thickness for the reason hereinafter appearing.

The cap is preferably exteriorly formed with an exterior enlargement 22, by which the cap can be readily rotated when applying or removing the same to or from the boss 5.

The cap contains a series of comparatively thin metal disks 20. piled or stacked one on the other and each having an edge notch 21, or other formation to permit upward leakage of air through the stack of disks to the fluid chamber within the dome like upper end of the cap. The top end of the bossfi', is formed with an annular open top well or deep groove 17, with its'open top immediately below the lower disk 20, of the stack. to form a water trap.

After the valve has been applied to a radiator, the thermostatic controlled needle valve is not adjusted until the radiator and Q air valve parts have become thoroughly heated and the block 10, has consequently expanded approximately to its limit, thereupon the screw H, is adjusted inwardly against the outer end of block 10, to force the needle 11, inwardly against its seal 12, to approximately prevent outflow of steam from the radiator. When the block 10. cools and contracts, the needle valve 11, will be withdrawn snliiciently from seat 12, to permit free outflow of air from the radiator.

This air will leak through casing 3, along,

the exterior surface of the block 10, and flow or'neck 5.

slowly or under reduced pressure into the chamber 4, at the rear end of said block. From said chamber, the air will escape upwardly through the reduced port 16, into will escape in a thin comparatively slowly moving film to the atmosphere through the elongated slit 19, in the top wall of the cap.

The fissure between the block 10, and the inner surface ofthe casing-3, is designed to subject the fluid leaking therethrough to a maximum exposure to the hot surfaces of the block and casing for the purpose of vaporizing water of condensation, and furthermore to retard the flow of such fluid to re duce the pressure thereof when entering the spacein the casing at the rear of the block. The outlet port 16, is from the top of said space and is designed to prevent upward passage of free water or water of condensation from the casing 3, and hence said casing forms a trap to retain free water and subject the same to the heated surfaces of the casing and the bodies therein for the purpose of vaporizing the same. The air or air and vapor flowing upwardly through duct 15, will also be subjected to the vapor' izing influence of the heated neck or boss 5, which is formed by a substantial body 'of metal. The metal disks 20. also become highly heated and hence serve to vaporize moisture that might collect in cap 6, so that the fluid that issues from outlet 19, will be llll the form of comparatively dry air or vapor. Any moisture that collects in the cap 6, will flow down onto the boss 5, and into the trap 17, to prevent the same being dischargedas free water through the outlet 19. The moisture in trap 17, will be subjected to the vaporizing influence of the substantial body of hot metal forming the boss The disks 2 0, are usually similar and can be stamped from suitable (preferably non-corrodible) sheet metal and rest loosely on each' other. Each disk is preferably stamped out with a single very small notch in its edge and the stamping process usually slightly dishes the disks or forms depending feather edges so that faces of the disks will not tightly adhere but will permit films of fluid to flow there between and upwardly through said notches. The disks are usually soarranged that the notches of ad jacent disks are out of alinement. If so desired, each disk will be formed with a slight depression or bulge to engage on an adjacent disk, whereby the disks will be maintained slightly separated from the flow of fluid therebetween.

The disks are usually slipped snugly into the cap but are not secured therein except as they may be upheld therein by the screw was,

threads at the lower end of the cap when the cap is removed, but even then the disks are preferably removable from the cap These disks: retard the upward tlow of the fluid so that when the fluid reaches the outlet 19. its pressure has been reduced to such an extent as to escape withoutobjertionable noise and without ear ing water The objects of the invention are to prevent discharge of water from the outlet if. and also to permit the discharge of dry air or vapor from said outlet without objectionable noise. In this connection, I wish to point out that I have discovered that by forming the outlet 18), by a very narrow elong" )(l slit wii *tling or other o jectionise iwoidcil even win" thiair es- "ism zlziniier l); w- 1 aphi IQ ix I lit top wall of opening It ill. be noted that when there minus pressure in the radiator, (3. when the pressure in, the radial-or is below that of the atmosphere. the exterior pressure will drive the block ll), inwardly and seat the needle valve t prevent rush of eool air into the radiator. However. the needle, valve is prefera lv so formed. about as shown. to prevent the same wedg'ing or stir-hing against its seat and in closed position. Also. when the e is minus pressure within the radialon the exterior pressure tends to hold the disks 2U. iilownwardlv and tightly together to re tard or redin-e passage of cool air downwardlv through Liilil if A radiator will hold its heat or a nniximum length of time, even when the pressure therein is minus, win-re the cool rxier ra air is excluded. or ap 'n'oxilnalelv z;\;Ni: .-li d trom the interior of the radiator.

l lr-J i-i' i that 'l'ii iul s vhann'es. ileor llil' lll'l-- t and u o e oi on in do not wish to limit "l iflil'l' hrre'it ior radiat r rmzaprisinn ntral easing i ne end pwir iine nipple radian)! and having iilinailv {bl-r1 through and iwrnr it inhl tr m] the radiator intollir 2: ing and roiiiainin gj a valve seat. an expansion blwrlv' arranged ion-- gitinlinally in said casingand movable therein, said blorl: at its inner end provi l d with and carrying: a, longitudinally prl ,ertingr needle valie enteri- ,Sfll l lllii :11? d it. 5 to (-losi on noi-ir nine ment of U a Space in the rear o 'ideral outlet from said siti ai spa-ire and i iorlt adapted to be forced inwardly on increasing air pressure in said space thereby closing said duct.

2 An air valve for radiators comprising a easing at one end having a projecting nipple adapted to screw into a radiator, said nipple provided with a longitudinal duct ha ring its inlet at the outer end and its outlet opening into said casing, 21 valve seat formed in said duct, an expansion block in said casing and movable therein, said block provided at its inner end with a needle \alve adapted to close against said valve seat in said duct, and means at the outer end of said casing, at the rear of said block, whereby said lilork and valve are forced inwardlv closing said dint when the rad-iator prrssure minus.

fin iir in: "lor radiators comprising a raving ha in an elongated nipple at one end provided with a longitudinal duct therethrough opening into said casinq. an expansion bloek in said casing and movable therein. said casing having a space at the rear of said blork and a vertical outlet passage therefronn means carried by said block for closing said duct when the pressure in said space forces said block toward said (l nt.

l. An air \alve for radiators ron'iprisin g a easing ha ing an air inlet adapted to be placed in eommuniration with the interior of a radiator. an expansion block longitudinall movable within said lasing and at one end provided with a needle val\e fixed thereto and projecting therefrom into said air inlet, and adapted to close and open the same on the expansion or contraction of said bloc. said easing provided with a space havin; a vertical \llliikt at the rear of said blork nherelrv said block is moved forward by the entering air when there is minus pressure in the radiator Slut by rais ng said inh-t. and means aii'irli by the '2l-lil{,f and SQlmlflll from the lUl'it limiting the outin said raising.

ward nuo'eln nt oi said him a l\n air vane for radiators roinprising a nur ing at its iruer end having an inlet 'l uri, .11! 5 th in row ivn air from the iadiators to whirh the casing; rlpl' illth an expalnsion block longitudinally ar anged in the (lasing and provided with and carrying a n edle valve to close sa d ilnct on expansion of the block and to open said duct on contraction of the block, said lock prmiiling a thin fissur between its outer sartace aml the inner surface of the casing for leakage of fluid ll! the casing past the block, said casing having an upper lateral fluid outlet in rear of said block. a plug: (losing the outer end of' th rasingn and a block engaging and adi2 Eng srrew rarriod in, said plug and operatiw from the ext rior of the easing.

l A tr valve for radiators comprising ng at one end having a nipple to enter IOU a radiator and an inlet tint-L to rocvive fluid from the radiator. said (using ha ring; :1 lat oral not-l; rising tlitltflflill and rontaining: tho outlet dlu't l'rozn tho top of tho intcrior of tho waxing. a rap on said nwlq forming a rhaniht-r into hirh itlltl outlut dart di -hargus and having; a top rwtri -tvd tluid outlet. a nvrdlr Yill'i't tor ridding am in: said inlrt dart. an oxyan it-n l: sai l rasing and rontrollin ohatrurting the lluid pamg'r till t li ljll mid rasing. and nn am in said rap to ill\ii= t tho lluid lion tlivrriln'ough.

T. .\n air \':\l\t tor radiators liming an inlet for fluid from the radiator and a rt Illfltt outlvt to atmoaph ro and an ohsirurtod tortuous fluid pasmigr \\a from said inlot to said outlet. and a pilo ot' (lowly arrangrd metal disks arrangvd i i said passagfv way.

h. An air valve for radiators "oniprning a rafiin; mnhodying a horizontal portion having an air inh-t to rorriw air time: a radiator. and a i'rrtiral portion li::\il3;1"! t air outlot and a laitzoin air inlrt from tho upper portion of aid horizontal poition. a thrrinostatirall; rontrolli l Yalw in horizontal portion rontroili thvroto. and nwam in to heat and ohstrurt tho il a ot air pmmmzi thorothrou gh.

9. \n air \alw tor radiators romp: ifli'ij" a rasing ha ting an air inlet and a wrtira iii!- tion lia\'in; a top air niitltt. and a Flk'li o! rlosol) arrangod hori/ontall dispowd lllt-iiil disks parti.-ill lilliin; tho interior oi" said wrtiral portion. suhstantially as tlt t'l' itth It). An air valve for radiators mniprii-ing :1 raising having a rti al portion rontain ing a Sttlt'li ol' approxnnatoly paralh l ongaging notrhod niotal tllHlh. said Mark o disks living arrangt'd in tho air p through the casing. Sillifiltliitlziil} srrihed.

11. An air \tllVt for radiatom to. a #asing having a Wrtit-ally riiap with an air duct tlit-rotlirw A not-k forming: a (hamlwr into whit-h duct dischargvst said rap having a top out said 1:: mid air 1 lt't to the atmosphere. the HPPQI and of m. An air \alw tor radiators roinprinmg a lairizontallv tllSPOSttl portion. an oloir gran-d mtrnsion from said portion ha ring: an

air inlet thrruthrougln a Yt-rti'al portion Wa ing its top t'orinod h v a lti'llltttt wall and having an air inlot through said all l'ornivd l'/ .i uarro'ii' slit. a ('lirrnio-tatirall w n troilod win in will lioiiimnta! portion at l a Mark f riwrii arrai and i .onta l'- :i- 1" a iairiyontall; t

por'tmir portion :i'zio ope '2;

Ming lih ti ra in our a "Mina l lomtm pin-m9 a at a with; tap around Siliii passag at it uppvr Hui. a ap or Sull'l portion having a ttliltttl top wali and an vlongxatml narrow Slit thvrothroa 83 forming an air ontirt and a stark of :ipproa iu'intt'lji' parallol i iiflifiiig' notrlzml mot-ii 'lii 'i'a arrangod in aid mp and HWilbtYi t orti n ijlwr ot in ttW'tlliltiliff whoa-vol l ttilix n15 mgoatnr 53G 

